NORTHERN EXPOSURE
The New Year kicked off on an even less positive note than last year, and with Covid19 restrictions on international and regional travel and visits to coastal resorts, most of our trips and excursions the last two months were to the Northern parts of our beautiful country.
We did, however, manage to fit in two international events – in the Northern hemisphere – as well as an epic drive across the Eastern side of Kazakhstan to the border of China with the long-awaited Mazda CX30 compact SUV, also introduced here recently.
Another interesting contribution is a retro-drive by Dr Wolfgang Porsche and his son, Ferdinand, in two Porsche 550 Spyders on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Porsche Boxster, spiritual successor to the 356 Speedster Cabriolet and the 550 Spyder.
Locally, contributor Jim Freeman took the top-of-therange Nissan Patrol North to the Waterberg region in Limpopo to follow in the tracks of two leading spirits in local nature conservation. He visited the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve with the legendary Patrol – celebrating its 70th anniversary this year – and stayed at Tintswalo at Lapalala, an elegant recent addition to the small chain of family-owned exclusive lodges, camps, and boutique hotels around South Africa.
While in the region, he also joined a three-day ‘travelogue’ leading through Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga in a Ford Ranger with tour leader Gideo Basson and his Red Moon team – in the process tackling, and conquering, the tough Orrie Baragwanath Pass.
We also managed to fit in two excursions to the Northern Cape, the largest and most sparsely populated Province of South Africa, firstly traversed the vast expanse and the Orange River (Gariep) in a new Hyundai Creta, and then returning for a rapid outing to the Green Kalahari with a new Lexus RX450H … as depicted on our cover photograph by Ryan Abbott.
The Skyrun, taking place in the region between Aliwal North and Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape, is still considered by many ultra-distance trail/mountain runners to be the ultimate test, and Adrian Burford, supported by Mitsubishi, tells how he added another finishers’ medal to those he earned in 2010 and 2011.
We also sampled the new Toyota Prado, still one of the most desirable and iconic SUVS in South Africa and now boasting 150 kw of power, on the roads of the Kwazulunatal Midlands, and report on this year’s Dakar Rally, the fastest, toughest road trip on earth.
Finally, we offer you a last opportunity to win a fantastic road trip to beautiful Frontier Country, courtesy of Isuzu Motors South Africa and the latest Isuzu mux. To enter, make sure you like our Facebook page, visit our website, tell us about your dream trip, and complete the online entry form. Good luck!
Wishing you a prosperous new year, and safe travels …